She looked imploringly at Maraton for help.

He smiled at her reassuringly, delightfully.
"Children," he expostulated, "this is absurd! Off with you to your homes.

These are small matters of which you speak." His hands were courteously laid upon both of them.

He led them to the door and pointed eastwards through the darkness.
"Think of the morning.

Think of the human beings who wake in a few hours, only to bend their bodies once more to the yoke.